The recent floods have triggered a fresh wave of inflation, with wheat and flour prices surging sharply across the country. Citizens are now facing difficulties as the cost of a basic 20-kilogram flour bag has risen by hundreds of rupees within a month.
Sharp rise in flour, wheat prices
According to official figures, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has increased by Rs410 to Rs1,810 in just one month. In Sindh’s Sanghar district, flour that was previously available for Rs80 per kilogram is now being sold at Rs125, creating severe hardship for families already struggling with high living costs.
The wheat market has also seen a sharp jump. Prices have surged by Rs700 per maund over the past month, rising from Rs2,300 to Rs3,000. Officials fear further instability in supply due to the flood-hit wheat crop.
Emergency measures in Punjab
In view of a possible wheat shortage, the Punjab government has taken strict steps. Feed mills have been barred from using wheat for 30 days under Section 144, while the Price Control Department has been directed to raid warehouses suspected of hoarding.
During overnight operations in Kasur and Faisalabad, authorities recovered 18,700 sacks of illegally stored wheat, aiming to stabilize supply and prevent profiteering.
Impact of floods on wheat crop
Officials warn that the widespread flooding has caused severe damage to standing wheat crops, reducing yield and worsening market shortages. This disruption has fueled speculation and price hikes, adding to the burden on ordinary citizens.
Citizens struggle with rising costs
For many families, the sudden spike in flour prices has made it difficult to afford even two meals a day. Residents of Sanghar in Sindh voiced frustration, saying the jump from Rs80 to Rs125 per kilogram has pushed bread out of reach for low-income households.
Moreover, the floods and recent rains have fuelled a sharp rise in vegetable prices also, with shortages hitting markets in major cities.
Also Read: Floods and rains trigger vegetable shortages, prices soar
In Islamabad, tomatoes have completely disappeared from cheap markets, while the prices of other vegetables, including potatoes and onions, have also become unaffordable. Shopkeepers say that tomatoes are being sold in wholesale markets at Rs300 per kg, compared to the official government rate of Rs123 per kg.
The impact is not limited to the capital. In Jhelum, heavy rains and flooding have severely damaged agricultural lands and crops, leading to a sharp surge in prices. Tomatoes, which were available for Rs50 per kg just a week ago, are now being sold at Rs220 per kg.
Other vegetables such as potatoes, onions, cabbage, and bitter gourd have also become 150% more expensive, according to traders at Sadar Sabzi Mandi.
Citizens say the shortage has made daily essentials out of reach and have demanded urgent action from authorities to stabilize prices and ensure supply.
